AND so we come to the end of another series of I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!
Jason Donovan is odds on favourite to be crowned King of the Jungle in tonight’s ITV1 final.
But with Myleene Klass a close second favourite and Matt Willis the outsider with a large number of female fans, anything could happen.
All three were shocked when David Gest was evicted in last night’s show, as you’ll see from their comments in tonight’s programme.
Many viewers assumed he was safe and simply didn’t bother to vote for the star of the series.
But perhaps that’s what happens when you finally do the dishes.
The remaining three celebs have now completed their final trials and are fast asleep after an eventful last full day together. All will be revealed this evening.
Author: ianwylie
THE latest round of media speculation does not make happy reading for those backing the BBC’s move to Salford.
It predicts that, at best, the BBC will receive a licence fee settlement in line with inflation, or even a below inflation deal.
That compares to the corporation’s request for an increase of inflation plus 1.8 per cent to fund its future plans, including Salford.
There’s actually nothing much new in these stories or headlines saying the big move north is under threat.
One uses the boys’ book of logic and an office calculator to work out that even an increase in line with inflation will leave the BBC with a £1.6 billion funding gap.
All of which may well be true.
HE went for the job, not the money, and claims he wasn’t influenced by events at the BBC.
Former BBC chairman Michael Grade is pictured walking into ITV’s HQ in London today, where he has taken the job of executive chairman.
Mr Grade didn’t want to talk about leaving behind the BBC’s licence fee talks with the government. “Not an issue for today,” he said.
But BBC director general Mark Thompson moved quickly to quell fears that the corporation had been left in the lurch – or that the move to Salford might face another question mark because of Mr Grade’s channel switch.
WHAT does BBC chairman Michael Grade’s shock defection to ITV mean for the corporation’s planned move to Salford?
His resignation to become executive chairman at ITV is a huge blow to the BBC.
“Clearly this is a surprise,” said the BBC, as the media world struggled to come to terms with Mr Grade’s stunning transfer.
A government decision on the BBC’s licence fee settlement is due any week now.
Negotiations on the licence fee are at a critical stage and certainly won’t be helped by Mr Grade’s sensational switch to ITV.
The amount of cash the BBC receives will determine whether or not the planned 2010 move of five departments and 1,500 staff posts to Salford can go ahead.
REACH for the stars, climb every mountain higher…
Former S Club 7 star Hannah Spearritt is back on screen soon in what ITV hopes will be a monster hit.
She plays zoologist Abby Lister in a six-part drama called Primeval, which begins in the New Year.
“It was a great part for me to get and I’m very proud to be in it,” Hannah told me when we chatted about the series last week.
“There were so many great elements involved in the role, and the show was so new and fresh, there was no question of, ‘Do I want to do this?’”
Already an actress and performer, Hannah appeared in four TV series after joining the S Club party, with the group also enjoying a string of hit singles.
HARD to believe, but some viewers object to BBC1’s screening of the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance.
They blame the BBC for wasting their licence fee by showing the annual event at the Royal Albert Hall.
And, missing the point entirely, the critics accuse the corporation of glorifying war.
The always moving Saturday night in November demonstrates the difference between the BBC and the now hundreds of commercial channels on our remotes.
It will never attract huge ratings and yet it still retains a place in the primetime schedule.
From current events in Iraq and Afghanistan to the poppy fields of France, it’s important that we remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the cause of freedom.
CORONATION Street stars leave the cobbles behind for two highlights of ITV’s Winter season of programmes.
As first revealed in today’s MEN, three Rovers regulars will feature in the second series of Soapstar Superstar.
Antony Cotton (Sean Tully), Tupele Dorgu (Kelly Crabtree) and Jane Danson (Leanne Battersby) are among 11 contenders who will sing for survival early in the New Year.
I was also at the Mayfair Hotel in London this afternoon for the launch of ITV’s new season, including interviews with some of those who will star on screen in 2007.
The normally publicity shy Anne Kirkbride is one of three famous faces taking part in a new series which has the working title of You Don’t Know You’re Born.
THE scripts were clunky and the end result not as good as it should have been.
But Robin Hood is to get another chance with confirmation today of an expected second series.
Speaking in Manchester, BBC1 Controller Peter Fincham said Lancashire-raised Jonas Armstrong will return as Robin in 2007.
Filming is due to start in Budapest next spring with the series back on our screens later in the year.
CONGRATULATIONS go to two Manchester TV shows today, shining on the global stage.
Both Life On Mars and Vincent won International Emmys in New York last night.
I was up long before dawn to report on a night of triumph for British TV. You can read the online version of today’s MEN report here.
BBC1’s Life On Mars was named Best Drama ahead of fellow nominees, including Vincent.
Co-creator and writer Matthew Graham was among members of the TV team who collected the award.
He said: “We have had such a fantastic response to Life On Mars from viewers and critics alike and this award is the icing on the cake.
“I’m sure, somewhere, Sam Tyler, Gene Hunt and the gang are splashing on the Old Spice, donning their flares and opening the Party Seven – celebrating in proper, seventies style.”
Executive producer and joint managing director of production company Kudos Jane Featherstone was also delighted.
She said: “We are thrilled that the exploits of a man who doesn’t know if he’s in a coma or mad and his sexist brute of a partner have been recognised with an Emmy.”
NICK Park has caused Wallace and Gromit some fine how-do-you-do’s at number 62 West Wallaby Street.
That’s how I began a feature in December 1995 after a trip to BBC TV Centre in London to interview Nick and meet his two Plasticine stars.
“First the Lancashire film maker sent them off on A Grand Day Out, a cheesy Bank Holiday trip in a home-made rocket to the moon,” the article continued.
“Then inventor Wallace found himself in The Wrong Trousers facing a penguin, disguised as a chicken, who ended up behind bars in a zoo.
“Now double Oscar-winner Nick is giving them A Close Shave in a truly amazing adventure that seems certain to land him a third gold doorstop.”
Within months he was clutching that third Oscar and went on to win a fourth earlier this year for Wallace and Gromit: The Curse Of The Were-Rabbit.
At that interview 11 years ago, Nick proudly clutched Wallace and Gromit in their red motorbike and sidecar – exactly as pictured above.
Life of Wylie 